The seminar will cover areas of improvement in handbooks as well as focus on a communication strategy for either new or revised handbooks. Learning outcomes are as below
• How to create/review handbooks
• Reviewing what areas should be handbook and what should be a policy or process
• Management Review/Presentation/Approval
• Launch of the handbook
• Communication Strategy
• Follow-up on success

This presentation was used at HR Summit and Expo 2013 www.hrsummitexpo.com

3.
What fits in where?
Contract
Policy – ‘What to’
•Primary and binding
Document
•Mutually Agreed and
modified
•Rights and Obligations
by Law i.e. working
conditions
•States compensation,
Entitlements and
benefits
•Formal statement of a
principle or rule Codified Decisions
•Addresses what’s
important to
organization's mission
or operations.
•Articulates
expectations
•Legal Compliance
Procedure – ‘How
to’
•Complements a policy
•Tells the organization
how to carry out a
policy
•Facilitates
implementation of a
policy.
Employee
Handbook- where
to?
•A comprehensive
source for
understanding the
practices of the
organization
•Summary of applicable
policies and procedures
•General information

4.
What is it?
Employee Handbook
• Statement of policies
• Reliable guide & source of information
• How business is conducted
• Accessible and applicable to all employees
• Clarifies behavioral expectations by all stakeholders
• Can support an employee agreement pack

8.
Handbook gone wrong?
Be warned
• Who writes the handbook? – pref HR or
lawyer
• Is it legally compliant?
• Don’t let it be outdated
• Employee Behavioural Policies- Social
Networking
• Don’t forget to roll out with a bang

9.
How to write it?
Tips for
Writing a
handbook
Designate a person
Create a table of contents and seek approval
Write in a less formal style and keep it positive
Keep to the timeline
Relevant policies summarized with key reference and access points
Understand contribution from other stakeholders
Let legal statements be reviewed or written by legal
Avoid jargons, specific words, vague words, acronyms, short forms, contact names
Keep a wiggle room

10.
Will they read it?
Tips for
keeping it
interesting
First person – instead of third person
Keep it positive – Highlight purpose
Make it visual and appealing
Use an accessible platform – intranet
Use mutually beneficial statements
Good judgment policy

11.
How to seek approval?
Establish a need for a handbook
Tips for
Approval
Begin with Proposal -Seek commitment,
support and willingness prior to preparation
Issue Draft level in stages
Apply company process for approvals
Legal approval is advised

12.
How to communicate it?
Tips for
launching
a
handbook
Seek senior management champions
Create anticipation- early promos, watch this space, etc
Size of the company will determine best approach
What are the formal/ informal meetings in place?- Townhalls, Breakfasts, etc
Hard Copy Vs Electronic Copy or both?- select a suitable and accessible medium
Prepare a presentation with key highlights – noteworthy and exciting
Avoid large distribution channels- email, broadcast, etc
An FAQ Document may come in handy?
At the end- collect the acknowledgement statements
Follow-up on success- reinforcement

13.
How to Manage it?
Tips for
managing
a
handbook
Designate a person, focal point or a communication mailbox
Accumulate the queries
New Handbook- may need a few quick fixes
Set a regular review- every 2 years/growth dependent/law
Supporting document Changes
Addendums
Transformation or Significant Change- may need a full review
and re-launch